Like most curlies I know, my designated “wash day” usually falls on a Sunday. It is the day before my work week, and the last day of my weekend to focus on myself and my needs. It just makes sense. But since it is also considered a day of ‘relaxation’, I try to minimize the amount of strenuous work I actually have to do to keep my curls dope for the following week.
Step 1. Put everything you need in arm’s reach.
Put away everything you don’t.
I am a product junkie by nature–hello, I work for NaturallyCurly–so of course I have enough hair products to literally serve a small city in the French Polynesia. Nonetheless, I do not always need them around, in sight. The clutter does nothing for my psyche, rather it enhances my eye sore and reminds me what a mundane task wash day is about to be.
Anything else that is visible, goes away for the day.
Based on what my curls need for that particular day, I pull out my co-wash, deep conditioner, leave-in, sealant, and tools needed (brush, bobby pins, hair ties, towel”> and leave them on the counter beside my bathtub. I have made an unofficially official checklist of the product cocktails I need for a successful wash day based on what my curls need.
My picks
- Deep conditioner: SheaMoisture Hydration Intensive Hair Masque, Eden BodyWorks Jojoba All Natural Deep Conditioner
- Co-wash: HAIRiette Kokum & Marula Co-Wash, Innersense Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner
- Leave-in: Zenzele Leave-In Conditioner, Briogeo Curl Charisma Amino + Avocado Leave-In Creme
- Sealant:Ann Carol Beauty Peppermint Chamomile Hair Oil
Ask yourself: What is the climate like outside (humid, dry, etc.”>? What style was my hair in most of the time this past week (tight protective style, etc.”>? What step did I neglect this past week (forgetting to put your satin scarf on every night, etc.”>?
Step 2. Approach the shower with a plan.
Don’t just wing it.
After I actually bathe, shave, and do all that great body maintenance stuff, it is crucial for me to jump right into the process. On most summer wash days, this is what that looks like:
Deep condition for 10-40 minutes. This depends on the specific product powers and time I have available. If I utilize a full 40 minutes, I usually wait to bathe and shave after I have applied my deep conditioner to utilize my time more effectively.
Rinse out with lukewarm water, followed by co-washing. I tend to use 2 conditioners at once–one with tons of slip, one that is thicker and penetrates my high porosity curls easily. During this time, I finger detangle while my hair is soaking in conditioner. Occasionally, I use a detangling brush to define and enhance my natural curl pattern and let the product really penetrate my strands to my scalp.
Massage the conditioner into my scalp thoroughly since I do not use a shampoo. I want to see all the dirt and product build-up run down the drain. Speaking of drain, I use a plastic hair catcher from Walmart to prevent clogging while detangling.
Rinse with cool water step out of the shower, plop freshly washed hair with a microfiber towel or t-shirt with a leave-in, then an oil.
My picks
- Drying towel:Turbie Twist Towel, Curly Tee Towel
- Detangling Brush:Tangle Teezer, Wet Brush
Step 3. Style your hair in that moment, as needed.
Are you going out? Or are you in for the day?
This changes the process ever so slightly. If I am going out after washing my hair, I usually rock a wash-and-go. This means I scrunch some styling product into my curls after applying a leave-in and and oil as part of my faithful LCO Method routine.
If I am in for the night, I take this time to either twist, braid, or bantu knot my hair into sections with a light hold butter and styling lotion.
My picks
- Styling lotion: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow, & Restore Styling Lotion
- Styling butter:Obia Natural Hair Care Twist Whip Butter
- Styling cream-gel: DevaCurl Supercream Coconut Curl Styler
I may even apply more oil to my scalp, warmed up for some extra relaxation. That way, tomorrow before work all I have to do essentially is unravel my twists, braids, or knots, and allow my hair to naturally gain volume throughout the day with as much curl definition as possible (no afro picks necessary”>.
[prodmod]Photos of yours truly, courtesy of The Reigny Season.
